Find out how popular the first name Imre has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Imre by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Imre is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 12 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Imre.

The history of the first name Imre

The name Imre originated from the Hungarian language, derived from the Germanic name Emmerich or Emeric, which in turn came from the ancient German name Amalrich. The name Amalrich is a combination of the Germanic words "amal" meaning "work" or "labor," and "ric" meaning "power" or "rule." This suggests that the name Imre may have initially carried connotations of someone who worked with authority or ruled through their efforts.

The earliest recorded use of the name Imre dates back to the 11th century in Hungary, where it was borne by Saint Emeric (also known as Imre), the son of King Stephen I of Hungary. Saint Emeric lived from around 1007 to 1031 and was known for his piety, education, and charity. His name became popular in Hungary and other Central European regions influenced by Hungarian culture.

One of the most notable historical figures with the name Imre was Imre Nagy, a Hungarian communist politician who served as Prime Minister of Hungary during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Imre Nagy was born in 1896 and executed in 1958 after being condemned for his role in the uprising against Soviet occupation.

Another prominent individual bearing the name was Imre Kertész, a Hungarian author and Holocaust survivor who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2002. Imre Kertész was born in 1929 and passed away in 2016, and his works explored themes of totalitarianism, personal identity, and the human experience during the Holocaust.

In the realm of science, Imre Lakatos was a Hungarian philosopher of mathematics and science, known for his contributions to the philosophy of science and his theory of research programmes. He lived from 1922 to 1974 and is considered one of the most influential thinkers in the field of scientific methodology.

Another notable figure was Imre Madách, a Hungarian dramatist and poet best known for his play "The Tragedy of Man," which explored philosophical themes of human existence and the meaning of life. Imre Madách lived from 1823 to 1864 and is regarded as one of the greatest Hungarian writers.

These are just a few examples of prominent individuals throughout history who bore the name Imre, a name with roots in ancient Germanic and Hungarian cultures, and a rich history spanning centuries.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Imre was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Imre, please contact us.

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